RIM's PlayBook Attracting Developers, But Lags Behind iPad: Survey

By Nicholas Kolakowski |
Posted 2011-01-25

Developers are increasingly interested in Research In
Motion's upcoming PlayBook platform, at least according to new survey data
posted by Appcelerator and research firm IDC. However, that same data suggests
the iPad and Android tablets continue to dominate developers' attention.

Based on 1,971 developers' responses, the percentage "very
interested" in developing for the PlayBook platform has increased from 16
percent in September 2010 to 28 percent this month.
By contrast, interest in developing for the iPad rose from 84 percent to 87
percent during that same period. Interest in Android tablets bumped from 62
percent to 74 percent.

In other words, despite that accelerating interest in the
PlayBook, the platform continues to lag behind most competing tablets-except
for the still-hypothetical devices running Palm webOS, which placed last among
tablets with 16 percent "very interested."

Competition with tablets is due to increase exponentially
throughout the rest of 2011. In addition to the next-generation iPad expected
to debut sometime in the next few months, manufacturers ranging from Toshiba to
Motorola have Android-based tablets in the works. Seeking to differentiate
itself within that crowded field, RIM plans on marketing the PlayBook as a
device with particular appeal to the enterprise, a longtime customer base for
the BlackBerry franchise.

Consultancy firm Deloitte recently estimated tablet
shipments in 2011 at 50 million units, ahead of research firm IDC's predictions
of 44.6 million units for the year. "Although some commentators view tablets as
underpowered media-consumption toys suitable only for consumers," Deloitte
reportedly wrote in its annual sector forecast, "in 2011, more than 25
percent of all tablet computers will be bought by enterprises, and that figure
is likely to rise in 2012 and beyond."